After checking out of the hotel, we begin the day with a short vehicle transfer to a nearby T-junction, where our cycling adventure resumes. Turning left onto road DT155, we start riding through a peaceful stretch of highland scenery, heading toward the remote villages of Ba Khoang and Ban Xeo. The morning offers a true test of endurance as we tackle a series of mountain hills and winding gravel roads that climb and curve along steep hillsides. The terrain is rugged but rewarding, revealing sweeping views of misty valleys and layers of rice terraces carved into the mountainside.

As we ride deeper into the highlands, we reach Ban Khoang, a secluded village nestled among untouched forests and terraced fields. This quiet corner of northern Vietnam is home to the Red Dao people, known for their vibrant traditional clothing and deep-rooted cultural heritage. The air is crisp, and the natural beauty of the landscape is matched by the warm smiles of villagers going about their daily routines.

We continue biking through this stunning terrain, gradually descending from the highlands into Ban Xeo. Here, the landscape begins to open up, and we transition onto road DT158. The route is less demanding now, rolling gently through more inhabited valleys where daily rural life unfolds against a backdrop of towering peaks and terraced hillsides. Along the way, we pass through small hamlets, where water buffalo graze, children wave excitedly, and farmers tend to their fields.

The final stretch of the day’s ride is a spectacular one, as we follow a riverside path that traces the border with China. The road is mostly downhill, allowing us to relax and take in the views as the river winds through the valley below. This scenic descent leads us all the way to Lao Cai city, where we conclude a memorable and diverse day of mountain biking through some of northern Vietnam’s most captivating landscapes.